Phone

You may also give over the phone or through our Phonathon student calling program.

In Person

If you’d like to deliver your gift personally, Samford University Advancement offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding holidays) and located in Healing Arts 300.

Matching Gifts

Many employers offer gift-matching programs that can double or even triple the impact of your gift. Visit our online giving form under “Will my company match my gift?” to search and see if your company or organization has a gift-matching policy.

Recurring Gifts

Recurring gifts offer you the ability to provide your favorite Samford scholarship or program with dependable support time and time again. By determining the amount and frequency using our online giving form, you are able to conveniently build a significant contribution through multiple gifts. Your recurring gift may be changed or discontinued by either calling or emailing us.

Payroll Deduction

Samford University employees can provide a steady stream of support to the fund or funds of their choice through payroll deduction. It's an easy way to make gifts that build up over time, with no need for reminders.

Electronic Funds Transfer

EFTs, or monthly bank drafts, are a convenient way to support Samford. Please download the Samford Electronic Funds Transfer Form and specify your gift amount and designation according to your personal choice. Mail completed forms to:

License Plates

Alabama residents can support Samford by purchasing an Alabama license plate that carries the Samford name. From each Samford License Car Tag fee of $50, a total of $48.50 goes to support scholarships for Samford students.

Alabama law does not allow the state to tell Samford who purchases these license plates, but nothing prevents individuals from doing so. Please let us know if you support Samford in this way! If you have a car that is licensed in Alabama, you can ask for the Samford license place at your local DMV office.

Stock Gifts

Thank you for your interest in gifting securities to support Samford University. Your wise market investment is a wonderful gift to Samford. By donating appreciated stock, you can avoid long-term capital gains tax and deduct the full market value on your tax return.

To transfer stocks to Samford University, please provide the following details to your brokerage firm then contact Doug Wilson, Assistant Vice President for University Advancement, at 205-726-4266 to inform Samford of the amount (dollars or shares), stock name and desired use of funds.

Brokerage Firm

Personal Property

Gifts of donated property, including real estate and in-kind gifts such as rare books or scientific equipment, may be immediate or planned gifts. Read more and explore how your cherished possession can make a difference for the Samford programs you care about most.

Gifts of Real Estate

Donating a home, farm, or forested property can provide you with many financial benefits while supporting Samford University’s teaching, research, students, and outreach. Benefits may include:

Income tax deduction based on the appraised value of the property

Avoidance of capital gains taxes

Relief from maintenance and other ownership responsibilities

Assistance with property sale

Immediate or future support for Samford University

These gifts of property may be made outright, as life-income gifts with tax benefits, or with an arrangement where you reserve the right to continue living on the property for your lifetime. Our experts can help you explore the options and create a plan that fits your needs.

Gifts-in-Kind

Gifts-in-Kind, contributions of tangible property, may include items such as rare books for the library or specialized equipment for scientific research. If the item(s) meets the needs of a Samford program, donors can realize many rewards including:

Tax deduction based on the fair-market value of the item

Avoidance of capital gains taxes

Seeing a treasured possession advance research and education

Call or email us for help with personal property gifts.

Planned and Estate Giving

Our gift-planning staff are experts in working with a wide variety of estate-planning vehicles, including bequests, trusts, and gift annuities. These planned gifts can be funded with many different types of assets, including securities, real estate, CDs, life insurance and retirement assets. Often, combining the right asset with the right gift vehicle is the key to meeting your financial and charitable goals.

Giving FAQ

Can I make a gift in installments?

Yes, and it’s easy when you make an online gift via our secure online giving form. Check the box that says, “I would like to make monthly, quarterly or yearly payments.”

Will my gift make a difference?

Yes. Every gift makes a difference, especially from alumni. Annual gifts of any size, particularly those made to the Samford Fund (Samford’s general fund), play an important role in helping Samford continue to provide an excellent liberal arts education, spiritual development and academic freedom informed by a framework of faith. Alumni gifts of any size show support of your alma mater and help the university secure gifts from foundations and corporations. In addition, alumni gifts help Samford advance in the U.S. News & World Report ranking.

What are the tax benefits of making a gift to Samford University?

Samford University is a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution. Your gift to Samford is tax deductible as allowed by law. A receipt will be issued for your gift.

When should I send my year-end gift to count for the current tax year?

Year-end gifts must be postmarked December 31 to be recorded in that tax year. The same is not true for gifts being made to count within the university’s fiscal giving cycle, July 1–June 30. Your gift must be received prior to June 30 to be applied to the current fiscal year.

Year-end credit card gifts must be submitted by midnight, December 31 in order to be recorded in the current tax year.

How much control can I have over the use of my gift?

You have the ability to designate your gift to the area you want to support. Gifts may support anything from the Samford Fund, which is used to address the university's most pressing needs; a specific college; a specific department; scholarships; the library…it all depends on where you choose your gift to go. You may indicate your fund(s) of choice in the memo line of a check or by selecting option(s) from the designate box located on our secure online giving form.

What is The Samford Fund?

The university’s highest priority for annual giving, it is the means by which Samford alumni, parents and friends can most effectively contribute their financial support towards the university. Gifts to the Samford Fund are unrestricted and go to areas of highest impact. This fund makes up the difference between tuition and the actual cost of education.

What if the area I want to support isn't listed on the giving form and I don't know the specific name of the fund?

Select the “Other/ Fund Not Listed” option from our “Choose Your Gift Designation” box on our secure online giving form, then describe as best you can in the text box provided. If you are giving via other means simply describe as best you can and we will contact you if we have any questions.

Do company matching gifts count toward donor recognition?

Yes! For example, when your gift of $500 is matched with $500 from your employer, you will be recognized at the $1,000 level. Check our database on our secure online giving form to see if your company has a matching gift program.